Maurice Lawlor (Ballyheigue Badminton Club) presenting trophies to the winners of The Ballyheigue Badminton Tournament. L-R: Linda Burke (Ballyheigue), Paul Hayes( Listowel) and Runners Up Claire Cahill(Kingdom) Patsy O’Connor (Ballyheigue)
Killarney and Ballyheigue venues were were the main focus of Badminton attention on Sunday last with Munster Championship fare being the attraction in Killarney and the progressive Ballyheigue club hosted their annual tournaments which catered for divisions 3,4 & 5.
The Munster championships in Killarney proved to be a mixed bag for the Kerry players.
The senior 1 competition saw Dingles Ciara O’Connor retain her ladies doubles title in fine style with Waterford partner Gemma Tobin. Their final opponents were the Clare/Limerick combination of Ciara Dwyer and Caroline Brown but the defending champions were always in control winning in 2 sets by 21-15; 21-12.
Miss O’Connor also had another title to defend and that was the mixed doubles crown and along with her Waterford partner they did battle their way to the decider where their opponents were the Clare/Cork pairing of Moya Ryan and Conor Hayes.
It was so close but it proved not to be. O’Connor/Walsh lost the opening set 21-11 but showing great resolve and fire in set number 2 they levelled the tie winning by 21-17..
The third and final set was a great contest. The defending champions led 11-9 at the change of sides but Ryan/Walsh battled back and took a commanding lead. The champions did fight all the way but it was the Clare/Cork pairing that came good when it mattered most and they won the tie and title by 21-17.
It was not a great senior championships for the defending champion of 2 titles Castleisland Club man, Tom Bourke. He relinquished his singles title at the semi final stage to the eventual winner, Waterford’s Eoin Walsh and in the mens double with his club partner Eric Nelligan they just had one of those off days where nothing went right for them but both of these players continue to give their best for Kerry Badminton.
From a Kerry viewpoint the match of the day was the ladies junior singles final which saw 2 Kerry players in opposition. These were Sinead Galvin and Moyvane’s Elaine Hudson, a finalist at this level also last year.
It was the Killarney lady who took the close first set by 21-17 but what a dynamic set the second one proved to be. The sides were level seven times between 11 each to 20 each where the tie break was played. They were level again at 21 each and 22 each but it was Mrs Galvin who garnished those 2 vital points to win the set and the Munster title by 24-22.
The Junior mixed doubles final saw defending champion Listowel’s Fergal Hannon battle his way to the final partnered this year by Castleisland’s Marion Rohan but they lost out in 2 close sets by 21-17; 22-20 to a Limerick pairing.
In the mens junior doubles decider Kerry were represented by Moyvane’s James Flaherty who was partnered by Corks Brendan Nyham but they fell to former Killarney member Fred Klok and Kristian O’Connor ,both playing out of Cork, in 2 sets.
So, overall Munster Championships 2016 was not such a bad one for the Kerry players.
BALLYHEIGUE TOURNAMENTS
All roads led to beautiful Ballyheigue on Sunday last where the local Badminton Club hosted their annual tournaments for all Kerry players in divisions 3,4 & 5 players.
With a total of 75 players competing from all quarters of the County it was a great day for the local club and the action proved to be fast and furious with the fare displayed throughout being of high quality.
Results as follows;
Division 5 mixed final; Aine Knightly [Annascaul] and James Beasley [Kingdom Castleisland] defeated Marie Kennelly [Moyvane] and James O Mahony [Causeway] 21-19; 21-16.
Division 5 Plate final; Jennifer Murphy [Listowel] and Padraig Hanrahan [Moyvane] defeated Lilian Holmes [Ballyheigue] and Joe Carroll [Causeway] 21-15; 21-19.
Division 4 Mixed final; Linda Burke [Ballyheigue] and Paul Hayes [Listowel] defeated Claire Cahill [Kingdom Castleisland] and Patsy O Connor [Ballyheigue] 21-12; 21-17.
Division 4 Plate final; Marie Flynn [Kingdom Castleisland] and Brendan Mc Govern [Annascaul] defeated Linda Flynn [Listowel] and Kevin O Mahony [Ballyheigue] 21-15; 21-17.
Division 3 mixed final; Carmel Hudson [Moyvane] and Mariusz Tusinski [County Club Tralee] defeated Jeanelle Griffin [Moyvane] and Tim Griffin [Ballyheigue] 21-15; 21-14.
CPC.IE County Championships
The second phase of the CPC.IE sponsored singles Badminton Kerry County Championships will take place at the Killarney Sports Centre on this coming Friday night where the titles for divisions 2 and 4 disciplines for both ladies and men are up for grabs.
At the time of writing it is almost certain that the competition in both division 4 grades will be hotly contested with a large entry and division 2 should be equally compelling.
All competitors, coordinators and court helpers are requested to be on call for 7.30 so that the action can commence on time.
Butterfield Cup;
The Butterfield Cup, which is Munster’s second oldest team event which commenced in 1947, after the Haynes Cup, will take place in Cappoquin Co. Waterford on this coming Sunday and Kerry travel to the Decies County as defending champions following their great win in Killarney last year.
However, after many retirements, especially in the ladies sector, this could be described as a new look Kerry side but under player/manager, Eric Nelligan, the panel have put in a lot of training in recent times.
The Kerry squad is as follows; , Ciara O’Connor, Edel Broderick,Marion Rohan, Jennifer Murphy, Sinead Galvin, Niamh Flaherty, Eric Nelligan, Tom Bourke, Gio Gaudino, Fergal Hannon and James Flaherty.
It is known that 5 Counties will take part it this years event, Clare being the exception, and this would be the largest County entry for some years.
Best wishes are extended to the Kerry panel.
All Kerry players who compete in the County Masters (over 40) competition are requested to note that the date has been changed to Friday night March 18th and to be played in the Presentation Gym Killarney to commence at 8 pm.
JUVENILES
The Kerry juvenile singles championships for both boys and girls in all age groups will take place at the Killarney Sports Centre this coming Saturday Feb. 6th commencing at 11 am.
All players ar requested to check it to the desk by 10.45.am
